hasten.[OE. hast; akin to D. haast, G., Dan., Sw., & OFries. hast, cf. OF. haste, F. hte (of German origin); all perh. fr. the root of E. hate in a earlier sense of, to pursue. See Hate.]1. Celerity of motion; speed; swiftness; dispatch; expedition; -- applied only to voluntary beings, as men and other animals.()The king's business required haste. (1 Sam. xxi. 8.)2. The state of being urged or pressed by business; hurry; urgency; sudden excitement of feeling or passion; precipitance; vehemence.()I said in my haste, All men are liars. (Ps. cxvi. 11.)To make haste, to hasten.()()v. t. & i.[OE. hasten; akin to G. hasten, D. haasten, Dan. haste, Sw. hasta, OF. haster, F. hter. See Haste, n.] To hasten; to hurry.()I 'll haste the writer. (Shak.)They were troubled and hasted away. (Ps. xlviii. 5.)